Male external catheters

ABSTRACT

The invention provides male external catheters having kink-resistant drainage stems as well as methods for making male external catheters having kink-resistant drainage stems. Specifically, the invention provides male external catheters having a drainage stem designed to reduce or prevent kinking that can occur during use when a drainage hose fitting and drainage hose are attached to the catheter. The invention also provides male external catheters having skin-friendly compounds and methods for making male external catheters having skin-friendly compounds. Specifically, the invention provides male external catheters designed to have skin-friendly compounds that contact the user&#39;s skin when the catheter is being used.

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to male external catheters and methods formaking male external catheters.

[0003] 2. Background Information

[0004] Many male patients lack the ability to control urine discharge.For example, severely injured or heavily sedated male patients can lackthe muscle control needed to prevent unintended urine discharge. Mensuffering from incontinence also lack the ability to control urinedischarge. Thus, male patients as well as men suffering fromincontinence can use male external catheters to direct discharged urineaway from the body and into a collection device. Typically, maleexternal catheters are placed over the penis in a manner similar to thatof applying a condom. For example, a condom-like male external cathetercan be unrolled over the penis. Once in place, the male externalcatheter provides a urine-impermeable barrier that directs dischargedurine into a collection device protecting the user's body from urinecontact.

SUMMARY

[0005] The invention features male external catheters havingkink-resistant drainage stems and methods for making male externalcatheters having kink-resistant drainage stems. Specifically, theinvention provides a male external catheter having a drainage stem withan inner diameter measuring between about seven millimeters and abouteight millimeters. Such an inner diameter of the drainage stem canremain constant for no more than about 19 millimeters from the distalend toward the cylindrical member of the male external catheter. Theinvention also provides a male external catheter having a drainage stemwith an inner diameter that is within a range measuring from about sevenmillimeters to about eight millimeters. Such an inner diameter canremain within that range for no more than about 19 millimeters from thedistal end toward the cylindrical member. Male external catheters havingthese types of drainage stems can reduce or eliminate kinking when thedrainage hose fitting and drainage hose are attached to the catheter.Reducing the catheter's ability to form a kink can prevent urine fromleaking from the catheter. Thus, the male external catheters providedherein can be used to prevent urine leakage, eliminating the user'scontact with leaked urine.

[0006] Since the materials described herein are typically elastic innature (e.g., rubber latex or rubber silicone), it is to be understoodthat each measurement used herein refers to a measurement of thematerial in its relaxed state. Thus, the measurements used herein do notrefer to measurements of materials being stretched or compressed.

[0007] The invention also features male external catheters havingskin-friendly compounds and methods for making male external cathetershaving skin-friendly compounds. Typically, such male external cathetersare configured such that the skin-friendly compounds contact the user'sskin when the catheter is being used. Specifically, the inventionprovides a male external catheter having a cylindrical member where theinner surface of the cylindrical member contains aloe, lanolin, or avitamin. Male external catheters having aloe, lanolin, or a vitamin canreduce or eliminate irritation or discomfort associated with wearing amale external catheter. In addition, male external catheters havingaloe, lanolin, or a vitamin can help create healthy skin.

[0008] In general, the invention features a male external cathetercontaining a cylindrical member fluidly connected to a drainage stemhaving a distal end, wherein the cylindrical member is adapted toreceive a penis, wherein the drainage stem has an inner diametermeasuring between about seven millimeters and about eight millimeters atthe distal end, and wherein the inner diameter remains constant for nomore than about 19 millimeters from the distal end toward thecylindrical member. The male external catheter can contain latex,krayton, nitrile, or silicone. The cylindrical member can be capable ofbeing rolled onto the penis. The length of the cylindrical member can bebetween about six centimeters and about eight centimeters. An innersurface of the cylindrical member can contain an adhesive (e.g., amedical grade pressure sensitive adhesive). An inner surface of thecylindrical member can contain aloe, lanolin, or a vitamin. An innersurface of the cylindrical member can contain an adhesive-aloe mixture.The aloe of the adhesive-aloe mixture can be from about 0.05 percent toabout 5 percent of the adhesive-aloe mixture. The male external cathetercan contain a bulb positioned between the cylindrical member and thedrainage stem. The bulb can define an inner bulb diameter, and thecylindrical member can define an inner cylindrical member diameter,wherein the inner bulb diameter is less than the inner cylindricalmember diameter and greater than the inner diameter of the drainagestem.

[0009] In another embodiment, the invention features a male externalcatheter containing a cylindrical member fluidly connected to a drainagestem having a distal end, wherein the cylindrical member is adapted toreceive a penis, wherein the drainage stem has an inner diameter at thedistal end that is within a range measuring from about seven millimetersto about eight millimeters, and wherein the inner diameter remainswithin the range for no more than about 19 millimeters from the distalend toward the cylindrical member. The male external catheter cancontain latex, krayton, nitrile, or silicone. The cylindrical member canbe capable of being rolled onto the penis. The length of the cylindricalmember can be between about six centimeters and about eight centimeters.An inner surface of the cylindrical member can contain an adhesive(e.g., a medical grade pressure sensitive adhesive). An inner surface ofthe cylindrical member can contain aloe, lanolin, or a vitamin. An innersurface of the cylindrical member can contain an adhesive-aloe mixture.The aloe of the adhesive-aloe mixture can be from about 0.05 percent toabout 5 percent of the adhesive-aloe mixture. The male external cathetercan contain a bulb positioned between the cylindrical member and thedrainage stem. The bulb can define an inner bulb diameter, and thecylindrical member can define an inner cylindrical member diameter,wherein the inner bulb diameter is less than the inner cylindricalmember diameter and greater than the inner diameter of the drainagestem.

[0010] Another embodiment of the invention features a male externalcatheter containing a cylindrical member fluidly connected to a drainagestem having a distal end, wherein the cylindrical member is adapted toreceive a penis, and wherein an inner surface of the cylindrical membercontains aloe, lanolin, or a vitamin. The drainage stem can have aninner diameter at the distal end that measures between about sevenmillimeters and about eight millimeters, and the inner diameter canremain constant for no more than about 19 millimeters from the distalend toward the cylindrical member. The drainage stem can have an innerdiameter at the distal end that is within a range measuring from aboutseven millimeters to about eight millimeters, and the inner diameter canremain within the range for no more than about 19 millimeters from thedistal end toward the cylindrical member. The male external catheter cancontain latex, krayton, nitrile, or silicone. The cylindrical member canbe capable of being rolled onto the penis. The length of the cylindricalmember can be between about six centimeters and about eight centimeters.The inner surface of the cylindrical member can contain an adhesive(e.g., a medical grade pressure sensitive adhesive). The inner surfaceof the cylindrical member can contain an adhesive-aloe mixture. The aloeof the adhesive-aloe mixture can be from about 0.05 percent to about 5percent of the adhesive-aloe mixture. The male external catheter cancontain a bulb positioned between the cylindrical member and thedrainage stem. The bulb can define an inner bulb diameter, and thecylindrical member can define an inner cylindrical member diameter,wherein the inner bulb diameter is less than the inner cylindricalmember diameter and greater than the inner diameter of the drainagestem.

[0011] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms usedherein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art to which this invention pertains. Although methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used inthe practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods andmaterials are described below. All publications, patent applications,patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the presentspecification, including definitions, will control. In addition, thematerials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intendedto be limiting.

[0012] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a side view diagram of a male external catheter having akink-resistant drainage stem.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a side view diagram of a male external catheter having abulb and a kink-resistant drainage stem.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a side view diagram of the male external catheter shownin FIG. 2 being applied to a penis.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a side view diagram of the male external catheter shownin FIG. 2 attached to a drainage hose fitting and drainage hose.

[0017] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawingsindicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The invention provides male external catheters havingkink-resistant drainage stems as well as methods for making maleexternal catheters having kink-resistant drainage stems. Specifically,the invention provides male external catheters having a drainage stemdesigned to reduce or prevent kinking that can occur during use when adrainage hose fitting and drainage hose are attached to the catheter.

[0019] The invention also provides male external catheters havingskin-friendly compounds and methods for making male external cathetershaving skin-friendly compounds. Specifically, the invention providesmale external catheters designed to have skin-friendly compounds thatcontact the user's skin when the catheter is being used.

[0020] The male external catheters provided herein can be used by a maleanimal (e.g., a male human) to provide a kink-resistant, skin-friendlymeans for directing discharged urine away from the body and into acollection device. Thus, it is to be understood that each component of amale external catheter within the scope of the invention can beconstructed from materials compatible with this intended use. Forexample, the entire male external catheter can be made from aurine-impermeable material such as rubber, latex, krayton, nitrile, orsilicone. In addition, while each component of the male externalcatheters described herein can be made separately and then assembled toform a complete catheter, the male external catheters described hereinare typically made as a single unit using common methods such as thetechniques (e.g., molding techniques) used to make condoms.

[0021]FIG. 1 is a side view diagram of a male external catheterincorporating a drainage stem that is kink-resistant. As shown in FIG.1, male external catheter 10 can have a cylindrical member 12 fluidlyconnected to a drainage stem 14. The inner diameter of cylindricalmember 12 can be any size capable of receiving a penis. Typically, theinner diameter of cylindrical member 12 is between about 25 millimetersand about 45 millimeters (e.g., 25, 29, 32, 36, or 41 millimeters).Cylindrical member 12 can have an open end 16 designed to receive apenis and a tapered end 18 designed to join cylindrical member 12 withdrainage stem 14. The inner diameter of cylindrical member 12 from openend 16 to the beginning of the taper of tapered end 18 can be constantor variable. For example, the inner diameter of cylindrical member 12from open end 16 to the beginning of the taper of tapered end 18 can be25, 29, 32, 36, or 41 millimeters. Alternatively, the inner diameter ofcylindrical member 12 from open end 16 to the beginning of the taper oftapered end 18 can be 25 millimeters in some places and 29 millimetersin other places. For example, the inner diameter of cylindrical member12 can be 25 millimeters at open end 16 and 29 millimeters at thebeginning of the taper of tapered end 18. Typically, the taper attapered end 18 can be such that the inner diameter of catheter 10 at thebeginning of the taper of tapered end 18 is reduced to the innerdiameter of catheter 10 at drainage stem 14 over a distance betweenabout 10 millimeters and about 14 millimeters.

[0022] As also shown in FIG. 1, drainage stem 14 can have a joining end20 and a distal end 22. Joining end 20 can be designed to join drainagestem 14 to tapered end 18 of cylindrical member 12. Distal end 22 can bedesigned to define opening 24, which allows urine to exit catheter 10when catheter 10 is being used. Opening 24 can be any size. Typically,opening 24 is the same size as the inner diameter of drainage stem 14 atdistal end 22. The inner diameter of drainage stem 14 can be any sizecapable of allowing fluid to drain from catheter 10. In addition, theinner diameter of drainage stem 14 is typically a size sufficient toreceive a drainage hose fitting. Typically, the inner diameter ofdrainage stem 14 is between about five millimeters and about tenmillimeters (e.g., five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten millimeters).Further, the inner diameter of drainage stem 14 can remain constant fromdistal end 22 toward cylindrical member 12 for a distance equal to theinsertable portion of a drainage hose fitting. For example, the innerdiameter of drainage stem 14 can be eight millimeters at each point fromdistal end 22 toward cylindrical member 12 for a distance no more thanabout 19 millimeters (e.g., no more than about 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13,12, 11, ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, or three millimeters)from distal end 22 toward cylindrical member 12. In other words,drainage stem 14 can have a length of 19 millimeters with the innerdiameter of drainage stem 14 being eight millimeters over that entire19-millimeter length.

[0023] Alternatively, drainage stem 14 can have an inner diameter atdistal end 22 that is within a range measuring from about fivemillimeters to about ten millimeters (e.g., from about six millimetersto about nine millimeters, from about six millimeters to about eightmillimeters, from about seven millimeters to about nine millimeters, orfrom about seven millimeters to about eight millimeters). In this case,the inner diameter of drainage stem 14 can remain within that range forno more than about 19 millimeters (e.g., no more than about 18, 17, 16,15, 14, 13, 12, 11, ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, or threemillimeters) from distal end 22 toward cylindrical member 12. Forexample, drainage stem 14 can have a length of 19 millimeters with theinner diameter of drainage stem 14 being between seven millimeters andeight millimeters over that entire 19-millimeter length.

[0024] With further reference to FIG. 1, male external catheter 10 canbe rolled and unrolled. Briefly, catheter 10 can be rolled from open end16 toward distal end 22, producing rolled portion 26. Once rolled,catheter 10 can be unrolled in a direction toward open end 16. Rollingcatheter 10 provides a convenient way for the user to apply catheter 10over the penis, which is very similar to the way a condom is applied.

[0025] Typically, at least a portion of the inner surface of a maleexternal catheter contains an adhesive to secure the catheter to thepenis during use. For example, the entire inner surface of cylindricalmember 12 can contain a coating of medical grade pressure sensitiveadhesive. Such adhesives include, without limitation, silicon pressuresensitive adhesives and acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives. Inaddition to containing an adhesive, the male external cathetersdescribed herein can contain one or more skin-friendly compounds. Suchskin-friendly compounds include, without limitation, aloe, lanolin, andvitamins (e.g., Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and/or Vitamin A). In someembodiments, the male external catheter may contain one or moreadhesives. In other embodiments, the male external catheter may containone or more skin-friendly compounds. In yet other embodiments, the maleexternal catheter may contain one or more mixtures of adhesives andskin-friendly compounds. For example, a male external catheter maycontain a mixture of medical grade pressure sensitive adhesive and aloe.The aloe in such a mixture can be in any amount. For example, from about0.05 percent to about 5 percent (e.g., less than 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, or0.5percent) of an adhesive-aloe mixture can be aloe. Any form of aloe canbe used including, without limitation, dry forms. When using dry aloecompounds, the dry aloe can be added to other ingredients (e.g., water,alcohols, and oils) at any ratio (e.g., 1/10, 1/100, 1/200, or 1/500).

[0026] Any method can be used to apply an adhesive and/or skin-friendlycompound to a catheter. For example, adhesive and/or skin-friendlycompounds can be applied to a male external catheter as the catheter isbeing rolled prior to packaging. Alternatively, adhesives and/orskin-friendly compounds can be added using a dipping process. Forexample, the surface of a male external catheter to be coated can bedipped into a mixture of adhesive and aloe. Any amount of adhesiveand/or skin-friendly compound can be applied. For example, a thincoating of an adhesive-aloe mixture can be applied to the inner surfaceof cylindrical member 12.

[0027]FIG. 2 is a side view diagram of another embodiment of a maleexternal catheter incorporating a drainage stem that is kink-resistant.As shown in FIG. 2, male external catheter 50 can have cylindricalmember 12 fluidly connected to a bulb 52, which is fluidly connected todrainage stem 14. In this case, tapered end 18 can be designed to joincylindrical member 12 with bulb 52, and joining end 20 can be designedto join drainage stem 14 to bulb 52. In addition, the taper at taperedend 18 can be such that the inner diameter of catheter 10 at thebeginning of the taper of tapered end 18 is reduced to the innerdiameter of catheter 10 at bulb 52 over a distance between about tenmillimeters and about 14 millimeters.

[0028] The inner diameter of bulb 52 can be variable. For example, asshown in FIG. 2, the inner diameter of bulb 52 can increase and thendecrease along catheter 10 from tapered end 18 toward joining end 20.Typically, the minimum inner diameter within bulb 52 is between aboutfive millimeters and about 20 millimeters (e.g., five, six, seven eight,nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 millimeters). Themaximum inner diameter within bulb 52 is between about five millimetersand about 20 millimeters (e.g., five, six, seven eight, nine, ten, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 millimeters).

[0029] In addition, the inner diameters within bulb 52 can be less thanthe inner diameter of cylindrical member 12 at open end 16 and greaterthan the inner diameter of drainage stem 14 at distal end 22.

[0030]FIG. 3 is a side view diagram of male external catheter 50partially placed over a penis. As shown in FIG. 3, male externalcatheter 50 can be rolled up such that most of cylindrical member 12 iswithin rolled portion 26. In this case, a portion of tapered end 18 isnot rolled. To apply a male external catheter, catheter 50 can be placedonto penis 54 as shown in FIG. 3. Once in place, rolled portion 26 canbe unrolled over the length of penis 54 in a manner similar to the way acondom is applied.

[0031]FIG. 4 is a side view diagram of male external catheter 50connected to a drainage hose fitting 56 and a drainage hose 58. Once amale external catheter is applied to a penis, drainage hose fitting 56pre-attached to drainage hose 58 can be inserted into drainage stem 14through opening 24 at distal end 22. Typically, the length of drainagestem 14 will be such that the insertable portion of drainage hosefitting 56 fills most, if not all, the space within drainage stem 14without extending into the space of bulb 52.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

[0032] It is to be understood that while the invention has beendescribed in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, theforegoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scopeof the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims.Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A male external catheter comprising a cylindricalmember fluidly connected to a drainage stem having a distal end, whereinsaid cylindrical member is adapted to receive a penis, wherein saiddrainage stem has an inner diameter measuring between about sevenmillimeters and about eight millimeters at said distal end, and whereinsaid inner diameter remains constant for no more than about 19millimeters from said distal end toward said cylindrical member.
 2. Themale external catheter of claim 1, wherein said male external cathetercomprises latex, krayton, nitrile, or silicone.
 3. The male externalcatheter of claim 1, wherein said cylindrical member is capable of beingrolled onto said penis.
 4. The male external catheter of claim 1,wherein the length of said cylindrical member is between about sixcentimeters and about eight centimeters.
 5. The male external catheterof claim 1, wherein an inner surface of said cylindrical membercomprises an adhesive.
 6. The male external catheter of claim 5, whereinsaid adhesive is a medical grade pressure sensitive adhesive.
 7. Themale external catheter of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of saidcylindrical member comprises aloe, lanolin, or a vitamin.
 8. The maleexternal catheter of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of saidcylindrical member comprises an adhesive-aloe mixture.
 9. The maleexternal catheter of claim 8, wherein the aloe of said adhesive-aloemixture is from about 0.05 percent to about 5 percent of saidadhesive-aloe mixture.
 10. The male external catheter of claim 1,wherein said male external catheter comprises a bulb positioned betweensaid cylindrical member and said drainage stem.
 11. The male externalcatheter of claim 10, wherein said bulb defines an inner bulb diameter,wherein said cylindrical member defines an inner cylindrical memberdiameter, said inner bulb diameter being less than said innercylindrical member diameter and greater than said inner diameter of saiddrainage stem.
 12. A male external catheter comprising a cylindricalmember fluidly connected to a drainage stem having a distal end, whereinsaid cylindrical member is adapted to receive a penis, wherein saiddrainage stem has an inner diameter at said distal end that is within arange measuring from about seven millimeters to about eight millimeters,and wherein said inner diameter remains within said range for no morethan about 19 millimeters from said distal end toward said cylindricalmember.
 13. The male external catheter of claim 12, wherein said maleexternal catheter comprises latex, krayton, nitrile, or silicone. 14.The male external catheter of claim 12, wherein said cylindrical memberis capable of being rolled onto said penis.
 15. The male externalcatheter of claim 12, wherein the length of said cylindrical member isbetween about six centimeters and about eight centimeters.
 16. The maleexternal catheter of claim 12, wherein an inner surface of saidcylindrical member comprises an adhesive.
 17. The male external catheterof claim 16, wherein said adhesive is a medical grade pressure sensitiveadhesive.
 18. The male external catheter of claim 12, wherein an innersurface of said cylindrical member comprises aloe, lanolin, or avitamin.
 19. The male external catheter of claim 12, wherein an innersurface of said cylindrical member comprises an adhesive-aloe mixture.20. The male external catheter of claim 19, wherein the aloe of saidadhesive-aloe mixture is from about 0.05 percent to about 5 percent ofsaid adhesive-aloe mixture.
 21. The male external catheter of claim 12,wherein said male external catheter comprises a bulb positioned betweensaid cylindrical member and said drainage stem.
 22. The male externalcatheter of claim 21, wherein said bulb defines an inner bulb diameter,wherein said cylindrical member defines an inner cylindrical memberdiameter, said inner bulb diameter being less than said innercylindrical member diameter and greater than said inner diameter of saiddrainage stem.
 23. A male external catheter comprising a cylindricalmember fluidly connected to a drainage stem having a distal end, whereinsaid cylindrical member is adapted to receive a penis, and wherein aninner surface of said cylindrical member comprises aloe, lanolin, or avitamin.
 24. The male external catheter of claim 23, wherein saiddrainage stem has an inner diameter at said distal end that measuresbetween about seven millimeters and about eight millimeters, and whereinsaid inner diameter remains constant for no more than about 19millimeters from said distal end toward said cylindrical member.
 25. Themale external catheter of claim 23, wherein said drainage stem has aninner diameter at said distal end that is within a range measuring fromabout seven millimeters to about eight millimeters, and wherein saidinner diameter remains within said range for no more than about 19millimeters from said distal end toward said cylindrical member.
 26. Themale external catheter of claim 23, wherein said male external cathetercomprises latex, krayton, nitrile, or silicone.
 27. The male externalcatheter of claim 23, wherein said cylindrical member is capable ofbeing rolled onto said penis.
 28. The male external catheter of claim23, wherein the length of said cylindrical member is between about sixcentimeters and about eight centimeters.
 29. The male external catheterof claim 23, wherein said inner surface of said cylindrical membercomprises an adhesive.
 30. The male external catheter of claim 29,wherein said adhesive is a medical grade pressure sensitive adhesive.31. The male external catheter of claim 23, wherein said inner surfaceof said cylindrical member comprises an adhesive-aloe mixture.
 32. Themale external catheter of claim 31, wherein the aloe of saidadhesive-aloe mixture is from about 0.05 percent to about 5 percent ofsaid adhesive-aloe mixture.
 33. The male external catheter of claim 23,wherein said male external catheter comprises a bulb positioned betweensaid cylindrical member and said drainage stem.
 34. The male externalcatheter of claim 23, wherein said bulb defines an inner bulb diameter,wherein said cylindrical member defines an inner cylindrical memberdiameter, said inner bulb diameter being less than said innercylindrical member diameter and greater than said inner diameter of saiddrainage stem.